North Carolina Fiery, Deadly Crash Investigation Continues

A fiery wreck early Saturday set off a weekend of detective work that finally has investigators on the verge of identifying four people found dead in Mint Hill.

First, authorities traced the license plate and vehicle registration of a charred Cadillac to Kiyoshi Graham. He wasn't at his Monroe home, but neighbors helped state troopers find his co-workers, relatives and friends.

Then troopers learned Aaron McCleave was also in the car that burst into flames after going airborne and hitting a guardrail on Interstate 485 near Lawyers Road.

Graham, 27, and McCleave, 24, were brothers. Relatives confirmed their identities, but declined comment late Monday.

Authorities did not confirm the names of the men or release the identities of two women also found in the car about 3:40 a.m. Authorities have been in touch with the victims' families and requested photographs of Graham, friends said.

Investigators with the Mecklenburg medical examiner's office are using dental records, fingerprints, photographs and other clues to confirm who was in the car. Troopers over the weekend also sifted through calls from the public who thought they knew someone involved.

"You don't see this kind of thing everyday," said 1st Sgt. J.R. Rowell, referring to the number of people killed and the severity of the burns. "It's the worst accident I've seen in my 17 years with the patrol."

Rowell said a combination of high speed and a wet roadway contributed to the wreck. Speed estimates weren't available Monday. Troopers say there was no evidence at the scene that alcohol was involved. Results of toxicology tests may be available in a few weeks.

Saturday's wreck was one of the deadliest in the Charlotte area since December. Seven Statesville teens died Dec. 29 on U.S. 21 when a stolen car they were riding in crashed while speeding from a Troutman police officer.

Four people died Monday afternoon in a two-vehicle collision on U.S. 21 in Fort Mill, S.C.

`It's on fire'

Three passers-by saw the aftermath of the Mint Hill wreck and called 911."I don't know what happened," a female caller told a 911 operator. "There's just a car in the median that's ablaze and I don't know if there's anyone in it or if everybody's okay. It's on fire. It's seriously in flames."

On the way to the scene, Mint Hill Fire Chief John Phillips stopped at the station and picked up a firetruck and two volunteer firefighters. It was about 3:30 a.m. and raining. Phillips drove southbound on Interstate 485 as the other firefighters put on their breathing apparatus.

If they weren't sure of the exact location, it was in front of them in minutes.

Against the backdrop of the morning darkness, they could "see the glow of the fire," Phillips said. He pulled the truck onto the left shoulder just before Lawyers Road. Firefighters began attacking the flames already consuming a Cadillac. They started at the left rear to cool off the gas tank and prevent a possible explosion.

As the smoke and steam cleared, a firefighter told his colleagues there was scattered talk among onlookers that someone might be inside the car.

"I looked in the driver's seat first," Phillips said. "Someone had to be driving."

One dead.

Then among the shattered glass and melted plastic, another body in the front passenger seat. A third person was found behind the passenger seat. And the fourth lay behind the driver's seat.

None appeared to have been wearing a seat belt. That may not have mattered.

Brothers

Relatives were too distraught to talk about Graham and McCleave. Friends and co-workers say Graham had been in trouble with the law but was beginning to put his life in order.

Court records show he was convicted of felony possession of a stolen firearm in 2003 and of misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia in January of this year. The owner of an area car stereo and window tinting business saw potential in Graham. He convinced him to leave a similar business on North Tryon Street in Charlotte.